Column 1 – The National

Too tense
Panthers’ fan was on the edge of his seat throughout the game against the Eels on Saturday. The can in his hand had to be replaced almost every five minutes.
Four left
And then there were four: Storm, Panthers, Rabbitohs, and Manly. The other 12 NRL teams are enjoying a longer break before the 2022 season kick-off.
Welcome rain
What a welcome sight and sound – the heavy downpour in Port Moresby yesterday afternoon. It will certainly clean up the rubbish mainly plastic bottles clogging the drains.
Public toilet
We ran a picture here last week of this “public toilet” built over the big drain across the road from the Unagi Oval, to be used by the hundreds who frequent the area every day. It has been removed. Health reasons, presumably. An eyesore too.
Wrong number
A scribe called her contact to check a story. Her contact immediately answered: “Hello Assistant Commissioner of Police, how can I help you?” Cross-wired, perhaps.
Bad blood
The bad blood between the New Ireland people’s reps to Parliament never seem to abate. Such public display of animus can only be counter-productive for everyone.
Switch off
The unthinkable happened in the middle of the 46th Independence Day celebrations in Port Moresby on Thursday when the power supply was cut off for quite a while. Dampened everything.
Counting minutes
Some radio announcers love to count the minutes, telling everyone on air that their stint is about to end. So? Should the audience care?
Food for thought
A big shout-out to you if you are a parent who is struggling, but your children never feel a thing.
Best quote
“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” – Aristotle